mineral

Milky Quartz with Iron Inclusions

Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to opaque (milky) with brownish-red iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to opaque (milky) with brownish-red iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified May 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to opaque (milky) with brownish-red iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. This specimen shows typical staining from iron-rich groundwater that seeped into micro-fractures over geological time.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, and as a semi-precious gemstone in jewelry. Historically used for making tools and currently popular in crystal healing and mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. The 'milky' appearance is caused by tiny bubbles of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and characteristic waxy/glassy luster. Frequently found in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and as veins in granite.

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